Welcome to the Geotechnical Centre at the University of Alberta!

What is Geotechnical Engineering?

Geotechnical engineering involves any aspect of engineering relating to soil and rock such as mining, analysis and design of dams, foundations and tunnels, and understanding the behaviour of slopes and groundwater.

Geoenvironmental engineering deals with the interactions between wastes and the geosphere including management of solid waste, migration of contaminant through the subsurface and remediation of contaminated sites.

Geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering has been designated as one of the University of Alberta’s areas of research excellence.

What do we do?

Innovate. Mentor. Discover.

Our faculty are recognized nationally and internationally for their exceptional research. Through extensive interaction and collaboration with other distinguished research groups, our team of faculty and student researchers provides novel research and technological developments to increase sustainable practices in a variety of industries. We hope to attract the brightest minds in the field and train early-career, technically competent scientists and engineers — the future leaders, consultants and regulators for the discipline.

With our talented people and extraordinary research facilities, the Geotechnical Centre is pioneering the way to innovative, environmentally conscientious solutions for future generations.

Graduate students examining lacustrine clays at a highway remediation project.

HKIE Distinguished Lectures

On December 12, 2017, Dr. Norbert Morgenstern presented "The Evaluation of Slope Stability: A Further 25-Year Perspective" as part of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers' Distinguished Lectures Series. A video of his lecture can be accessed on the HKIE website, and opening remarks for the Slope Safety Summit can be accessed on the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region website.

Join us on LinkedIn

Alumni, colleagues and friends of the Geotechnical Centre are invited to connect with us and one another on our LinkedIn page UAlberta Geotechnical Centre. Find out the new and exciting developments at our Centre and what cutting-edge research our graduate students are conducting. We look forward to hearing from you — connect with us today by joining our group!